Winfield talks beaver dams
By Kitty Conley kconley@post-trib.com November 27, 2012 12:38PM
A family of beavers have been a recent problem for the residents of Winfield. Beavers have constructed a large dam near the corner of 114th Place and Knox Street. | Photo Provided~Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 27, 2012 12:38PM
WINFIELD — While it is a very serious matter to have ponds with large beaver dams, if they are on private property there is nothing that a municipality can do about it.
That was the frustration before the Winfield Town Council and Sewer Board at a study session on Nov. 13.
Paulette Skinner, Town Council president, reported that the town is getting complaints about Beavers at 114th Place and Knox Street adjacent to Prairie Crossings subdivision.
The entrance to Prairie Crossings is on 117th Avenue, west of Randolph Street. There is a large family of beavers that has constructed a three level dam in one of the ponds.
Skinner was concerned that the beavers would interfere with the movement of cleaned sanitary sewer water as well as the movement of storm water.
Councilman Don Samburg said he was ready to ride in there on an ATV to get rid of the Beavers. It was pointed out that these are very big animals and adults both male and female can weigh over 70 pounds, and be four feet long. The beaver is the largest North American rodent, according to the National Geographic website.
Town attorney Adam Sworden told the council, “You have to be permitted by (the Indiana Department of Environmental Management) to remove beavers and their dams.”
